Latest news with #Feilding
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- RNZ News
School's shearing and woolhandling contest attracts top talent
A bunch of Manawatu high school students have switched off their screens and turned on their shearing machines. Feilding High School's hall became a woolshed this week as the school held its own version of the iconic Golden Shears shearing championships. This year's interhouse shearing and woolhandling championships at Feilding had a professional atmosphere with commentary from Danniverke commentator Tuma Mullins. About 700 students crammed into the hall to watch the finals, cheering on their friends who came through last week's preliminaries. The competition featured six students in the shearing final, and six students in the woolhandling final. Behind the scenes, these boys were in charge of the sheep pens on the school stage. Photo: Penny Miles Many of the school's students are involved in agriculture and were able to safely and effectively handle the most unruly of sheep. Coming from the hall's stage was the mechanical noise and hum of two electric shearing plants, donated by an old boy. Beyond that were pens of romney cross lambs bleating as they waited for their turn under the bright lights. The youngest competitor, Mac Foreman from Pahiatua, was one of the first up. He's a boarder at the school living in a hostel there, and was happy to make his debut appearance in the final. "This is my second year shearing this year. Just on the farm watching the shearers in the shed, and just how much money they make, made me motivated to start," Foreman said. Feilding High School's Alex Wrenn in a moment of focus at the school's Shearing and Woolhandling Championships Photo: Penny Miles He's learnt his skills in courses at school and also his Dad has passed on his knowledge from the farm. "Once you've shorn a few you just get used to it," Foreman said. One of the experienced shearers in the next pairing was 17-year-old Harry Dickson, who hails from from Apiti near the Ruahine range. Some of the boys are already earning serious pocket money as they work during their school holidays. They come from rural locations in Wairarapa, Manawatu and the King Country. This year's finalists were Alex Wrenn and Taumuranui's AJ Hall, battling it out on the boards. Brute strength is required to drag the sheep out to the shearing stand. Photo: Penny Miles Going blow for blow, the boys each shore three sheep, one more than in the preliminary rounds, watched on by the judges. Hall, 17, is ready for a career on a sheep and beef farm as a shepherd. He achieved his best result of runner up. And what's the secret to competition shearing? "Just focus really, just focus on the sheep," Hall said. His sheep were easy to handle until the final one was dragged through to the stand. "The last one was a bit sticky and just a bit kicky and I cut it on the flank. I knew I was out." Entry for the contest was by gold coin donation and there were no empty seats. Photo: Penny Miles "It was a bit of a buzz in front of the school but you just had to stay calm," Wrenn said. "After that first sheep I had a bit of catching up to do because I went to the pen at the same time as him. I knew I'd have to try and get a few time points up my sleeve." Wrenn was judged the winner as the boys lined up on the stage for photos. Judge Flash Duxfield from Woodville said he was looking for neat and tidy work against the clock with no cuts of nicks. On the wool handling side was judge Gail Haitana from Bulls who watched over keenly as the six girls each worked to sort the wool. In the final were Anna Harre and Aria Cameron. Harre, 15, who comes from Taihape was the winner for the first time. She said the nerves were "scary". "Maybe I'll do some more shows in the future, I love it," Anna Harre said. Feilding High School has been a breeding ground for some of the country's top shearers. Black Ferns women's rugby player Sarah Hirini became a champion shearer at the school. While the most high profile athletes with agriculture in their bones were the rugby playing Whitelock brothers, Sam, George and Luke. Teaching agriculture to the students is teacher Kain Nixon. "A lot of our older kids are here competing and they'll leave school at the end of the year," Nixon said. "The quality is just getting better and better. This year we had two sheep for the semis and three for the finals which is a reflection of the calibre." He loves what he's doing and says he won't be going anywhere soon. And luckily for him, his students are lining up for the shearing programme. "Shearing is a craze at the moment, everyone wants a handpiece and to see if it's for them," he said. He's encouraging the next group of students to "give it a go". And recently Stratford High School in Taranaki added an agricultural course of its own, also giving students the change to get out of the classroom and get hands on with farming. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
02-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Ram attack leaves person with serious injuries
A ram has attacked a person in Manawatū, leaving them seriously injured (generic image). Photo: Mark Boulton / Biosphoto via AFP One person has suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a ram in the lower North Island. Police were called to an animal attack at about 2.15pm on Monday on Makino Road, a rural road in Manawatū, north of Feilding. "The victim has sustained serious injuries and will be transported by ambulance to Hospital. The animal has been destroyed." An officer later told RNZ the animal was a ram. Hato Hone St John confirmed crews responded to a 'farm incident' in Halcombe with one ambulance, one rapid response unit, and one manager. A St John spokesperson said one person in a serious condition was treated and transported to Palmerston North Hospital. Alfred Helge Hansen and Gaye Hansen were killed by a rogue ram at their West Auckland property last year. Photo: Supplied / NZ Herald The attack comes just over a year after the deaths of Helge and Gaye Hansen , who were found dead on their four-hectare lifestyle property after a rogue ram entered their paddock and killed them . At the time, an animal behaviour researcher told RNZ ram attacks were rare but the injuries inflicted could be similar to being hit by a car. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
02-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Person suffering from serious injuries after ram attack
A ram has attacked a person in Manawatū, leaving them seriously injured (generic image). Photo: Mark Boulton / Biosphoto via AFP One person has suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a ram in the lower North Island. Police said they were called to an animal attack at about 2.15pm on Monday on Makino Road, a rural road in Manawatū, north of Feilding. "The victim has sustained serious injuries and will be transported by ambulance to Hospital. The animal has been destroyed." An officer later confirmed the animal was a ram. Hato Hone St John confirmed crews responded to a 'farm incident' in Halcombe with one ambulance, one rapid response unit, and one manager. A St John spokesperson said one person in a serious condition was treated and transported to Palmerston North Hospital. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- RNZ News
Dean Mulligan maintains innocence over 2010 killing of Marice McGregor
He's now eligible for release and this week went before the Parole Board for the first time on Monday. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi After 15 years in custody, a man convicted of bludgeoning a woman to death in a remote rural ravine continues to maintain his innocence. Dean Richard Mulligan was sentenced to life in jail, with a minimum term of 15 years, after being found guilty of murdering Marice 'Katrina' McGregor. He's now eligible for release and this week went before the Parole Board for the first time on Monday - 15 years to the day since McGregor's body was found. He didn't seek parole, but was firm in his continued denials of the killing, saying he's filed with the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The board questioned Mulligan about his history of not telling the truth, something the former computer technician, from Feilding in Manawatū, said was previously the result of a lack of self-esteem. However, he said he was not lying when he said he was innocent of McGregor's murder. For about an hour the Parole Board probed Mulligan at a hearing, which RNZ attended. When sentencing Mulligan in 2011, Justice Denis Clifford didn't mince his words. The judge said he was a pathological liar and a fantasist, who in saying he wasn't guilty had shown no remorse. During his trial in Whanganui, the court heard Mulligan met McGregor online, and during the pair's two-year relationship had drained her bank account of about $30,000. He believed he would get the rest of her money and her house if she died. After McGregor threatened to tell Mulligan's wife about their relationship, he killed her in a remote spot off State Highway 4, about 50 kilometres north of Whanganui on 19 April, 2010. Mulligan struck her three blows with an iron bar. Her body wasn't found for weeks. At his trial, Mulligan said he was innocent and the real killer had threatened him into making a false confession, a confession he later recanted. Mulligan had searched online for "hard hit to back of head" hours before McGregor was killed, but he told police that was after he'd knocked his own head - although his version of events changed. This week he told the board McGregor had access to his computer at the time, so could have made the search. Mulligan denies the pair were in a relationship. In 2013, the Court of Appeal rejected Mulligan's bid for a retrial. The Parole Board wasted no time in asking the question: does Mulligan maintain his innocence? "I still deny doing the murder," he said. Board member Susanna Every-Palmer asked Mulligan what involvement he had in the killing. Mulligan said the day McGregor died she asked him over to her place to chop firewood, but he was reluctant as he felt she was growing dependent on him and he said he didn't feel comfortable there. The pair travelled to the remote spot where McGregor died. There, she talked to a man aged in his 20s. "That's when I saw what happened," Mulligan said, referring to the man striking McGregor with a weapon. The man then climbed up the bank and told Mulligan not to tell anyone, otherwise there would be trouble. Another man was also there too. Mulligan said as McGregor wasn't responsive he knew she was dead, so there was no need to seek help for her, and the threats against him kept him silent. During his appeal in 2013, Mulligan said a man called Phil Morrison killed McGregor and another man, Max Twedale, sexually abused Mulligan to force him into a relationship with McGregor. Police couldn't find anyone called Max Twedale and a Phil Morrison they spoke to had no involvement. This week, Mulligan could remember Max Twedale's name, but said the other man was "Richard something". Mulligan said he filed with the Criminal Cases Review Commission about a year ago and had twice spoken to staff there over the phone. He acknowledged his continued denials wouldn't be what McGregor's family wanted to hear. Every-Palmer said Mulligan's family and even his church pastor had called him an "habitual liar". "A lot of things I lied about is because I did not want people to know what was going on within myself," Mulligan said. "I thought it was my problem not other people's problems." Mulligan was questioned about other acts of dishonesty, including in the 2000s sending his wife a threatening letter he pretended was from someone else. "I can't remember, to be honest," he said when asked what it said. In his early years in prison, Mulligan was in trouble for making false statements and fabrications, including trying to extort money from his family, saying he would be hurt if they didn't pay. He said he was influenced by others. "I was trying to fit in. I suppose that's one reason I keep to myself now, because I don't want to be in that kind of environment." Every-Palmer said Mulligan's explanations sounded like he was trying to shift blame to others. Mulligan said he used to have low self-esteem, but now had the confidence to report bad behaviour to prison staff, as he had done recently. Board member Dr Julia Ioane asked Mulligan what it was like to have people who cared about him describing him as a liar. "I never used to mind it, but now I really hate it," he said. "Quite often I felt left out on a limb for several reasons. Sometimes I lied to try to get into a group. Yes, it works sometimes, but mostly I don't think it has really worked." He worked on prison grounds, mowing lawns, and said he mainly kept to himself in his unit. A prison officer said he was doing well and, through his work, held positions of responsibility. Mulligan will next go before the Parole Board in a year. Every-Palmer said board members would like to see him receive psychological treatment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
24-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
First home game of season for Gisborne Boys' High First XV
Following a scoreless first half in superb conditions last week, Gisborne first five Ruan Ludwig opened the scoring with a penalty goal, but Kelston responded in kind to draw level, then scored the only try of the match for victory. Jefferson has reason to be pleased with his side's progress. 'We're building nicely towards our Super 8 campaign, which starts with Palmerston North BHS in late May,' he said. 'We played well in patches against Lindisfarne, Napier and Kelston, so now we'd like to put in a complete performance this weekend. 'We know that Feilding will be a well structured side, so we'll have come up with ways to counter that. Rugby hasn't changed in that we'll have to win the battle up front and gain ascendency there. 'Our boys are excited at the prospect of playing in front of a big home crowd at the Rectory.' Feilding's head coach of eight years, Justin Lock, hopes for 'blue skies and fast, running rugby'. The MetService forecast for Saturday is partly cloudy with a few showers in the morning. Gisborne and Feilding last met in April last year - a 35-7 win to Feilding, who later that year gave eventual top four champions Hamilton BHS a run for their money, losing 23-19 in the tournament semifinals. Fielding beat Gisborne 31-0 in 2022 and 17-10 in 2021. Their 2023 match was cancelled. Gisborne have five players back from the 2024 match-up - lock Storm De Thier, McKay, halfback James Hamblyn, pivot Ludwig and fullback Kahurangi Leach-Waihi. De Thier, who scored a mighty try against Lindisfarne in the season-opener, and McKay will be central figures in the forwards this year. Local fans will get their first look at the pairing of Hamblyn and Ludwig in the inside backs - a combination that will be integral to the team functioning well. Feilding go into Saturday's game on the back of three wins - 31-10 v Wellington College at Feilding, 24-0 v New Plymouth BHS at Waverley and 38-24 v St Patrick's College Silverstream at Feilding on April 12. Regular captain and hooker Alani Fakava had his 60th game for the First XV in that last outing. The 2024 NZ Barbarian is on the reserves bench against Gisborne, with replacement rake Lucas Goodman doubling as the 'Aggies' skipper. Gisborne will have gained plenty from their matches so far. Their ability to tackle for 70 minutes away from home was put under the microscope last week, and they responded superbly against one of the country's biggest names. Joel Pearse will control the game on Rectory No 1. Gisborne BHS First XV: Tomasi Mataele, Max Hammond, Leaasi Tupou, Zandre Viljoen, Storm De Thier, Samuel Fox, James McKay (c), Orlando Manuel, James Hamblyn, Ruan Ludwig, Darius Kiwara, Timuaki Stewart, Kye Symes, Anakin Ormsby-Cairns, Kahurangi Leach-Waihi. Bench: Tane Te Aho-Heemi, Josh Aukuso, Tahana Bristowe, Sione Kalioppasi, Coen-Theros Brown, Kruze Pomana, TBC. Feilding HS First XV: Kingston Ngata, Lucas Goodman (c), Tevita Fakava, Steelie Hammond, Lachie Hawker, Van Campbell, Austin Tunnicliffe, Rupeni Raviyawa, Tuharakia Wallace-McLeod, Tyrese Tane, Kailan Ellmers, Nixon Foreman, James Tuituba, Elisala Malili-Malo-Lauano, Aston Scott. Bench: Harry Dickson, Dante Brown, Monty Gibson, Joseph Nikola, Karnyae Ropiha-Waiwai, Jack Nagal, Peni Havea, Alani Fakava.
